Despite the truly horrendous weather hammering Bristol all evening, the sold-out crowd at Bristol Beacon packed the venue to the rafters for Wet Leg’s return to the city. Any damp spirits were immediately lifted by support act Faux Real, whose playful, off-kilter performance brought exactly the kind of eccentric energy a night like this thrives on. Their choreographed art-pop set was clever, funny and unexpectedly tight – the ideal warm-up for what was to come.
Wet Leg arrived to a roar of anticipation, and from the first notes it was obvious that this is a band operating at a level far beyond the “breakthrough indie darlings” tag they were once stuck with. Rhian Teasdale delivered a masterclass in how to own a stage. Calling her a frontwoman almost undersells it – she’s a full-scale performer, charismatic without effort, playful without ever drifting into novelty, and capable of commanding a room of any size. At one point she mentioned she once lived in Bristol, and the crowd responded with the kind of warmth that only added to her ease and confidence onstage. It’s no surprise they were at the Royal Albert Hall the night before.
Their set was packed with bangers, delivered one after another with an ease that shows how deep their catalogue now runs. Any lingering idea that Wet Leg were built around a single viral hit has long evaporated; the crowd’s response to tracks old and new showed just how firmly the band have grown into a major live force.
The last time I saw them was at Primavera Sound, where they were still on one of the smaller stages. They were brilliant then, but tonight made it clear they’re ready for the main stages – and frankly, that’s where they belong. With the confidence of a band who’ve toured relentlessly and the spark of artists still having fun, Wet Leg delivered a sharp, thrilling and joyfully unpretentious set.
Soaked shoes aside, Bristol got a night worth braving the rain for: a band at the top of their game, supported by an act perfectly matched to their spirit. Wet Leg continue their rise – and the momentum feels unstoppable.
